The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had conceded 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or had there never been a binding element maintaining its structure in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, only for him admitted that the management had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were facing for accounting issues. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic on the pitch as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their initial five matches, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to determine if they are improving or collapsing.
Matteo's Surprising Return
One individual kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio this season. He spent last season on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, his parent club were pushing for him to stay there temporarily. The registration embargo forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad with no new signings.
He joined in the first place under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances with the club in that campaign, the vast majority of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Finding His True Position
It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of his skill set. Originally described as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
